Dietitians and Nutritionists Salary
The median pay for a dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee is $67,620/year ($32.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $75,317 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Tennessee?
About dietitians and nutritionists
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Pay for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $76K. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $90K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Dietitians and Nutritionists salary by metro in Tennessee
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $74K | +10% | 440 |
| Memphis | $72K | +7% | 210 |
| Johnson City | $70K | +4% | 60 |
| Clarksville | $69K | +2% | 30 |
| Knoxville | $66K | -2% | 130 |
| Chattanooga | $65K | -4% | 160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $64K | -5% | 30 |
| Jackson | $59K | -13% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track dietitians and nutritionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dietitians and nutritionist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 26.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dietitians and nutritionists typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,452/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 50% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is dietitians and nutritionist a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $68K here vs. $76K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for dietitians and nutritionists?
Tennessee pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — below the national median.
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Tennessee?
The median is $67,620 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,860, and experienced dietitians and nutritionists can clear $90,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,663/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 26.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dietitians and nutritionists salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dietitians and nutritionists salary is worth about $75,317 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dietitians and nutritionists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.